Underwater vane motive apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is disclosed for converting either a mechanical or electrical energy to rotate a vaned structure that is submerged below the water level to give a quiet mode of operation, includes a pair of vanes whereof each member is set at right angles with respect to one another. The vaned structure propels the watercraft through the waters, a control handle accessible to the operator of the watercraft gives the operator a wide range of propelling modes at his disposal.

United States Patent- 11 1 Hillman 1 1 Nov. 12, 1974 1 1 UNDERWATER VANE MOTIVE 1.495.002 5/1924 Delgado ...115/52 APPARATUS 1,540,609 6/1925 Deb-11y v. 416/112 2.633.921 4/1953 Monney... 416/132 1751 In ntor: Ed K- H Phoenix, Ariz. 2,856,011 10/1958 Barnett 416/112 [73] Assignee: Wind-De-G0., Inc., Phoenix, Ariz. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 22 il 5 1973 909,873 3/1946 France 416/112 [21] Appl' 329313 Primary Examiner-Trygvc M. Blix Assistant ExaminerGalen L. Barefoot [52] US. Cl 115/52, 416/112, 416/132 yi Agellh Hillmiln [51] Int. Cl B63h U118 [58] Field of Search 115/28, 29, 49, 50, 52; [57] ABSTRACT 416/1 1 98 Apparatus is disclosed for converting either a mechanical or electrical energy to rotate a varied structure [56] References C'ted that is submerged below the water level to give a quiet UNITED STATES PATENTS mode of operation, includes a pair of vanes whereof 430945 8/1392 Guyon H 416/116 each member is set at right angles with respect to one 798,845 9/1905 Ulrich 416/132 another. The vaned structure propels the watercraft 835.66 1 H190 D n y 416/132 through the waters, a control handle accessible to the 873.542 12/1 y 416/116 operator of the watercraft gives the operator a wide 958,020 5/1910 S1nc1c 115/50 range of propelling modes at i disposal 1.047.872 12/1912 Akerman 115/50 1,246,289 11 1917 Lindsay 115/52 1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures a\\\\\\gsw; I

. 33 7 4 2 g M B q i /7 i /8 UNDERWATER VANE MOTIVE APPARATUS The present invention relates to apparatus for converting the power of coventional means to propel a watercraft through the waters, and more particularly, to

give the navigator variable control for navigating the watercraft.

Various devices have been used for many years to propel boats through the water. One of the most common of these devices is that of the outboard motor. Many improvements in this field have occured and many attempts to reduce the noise level has been favorable but not down to the point where it does not inter-' fere with the sport of those that wish the quietness that comes with natural watercrafting.

Another distinct type of propulsion is the waterjet mode for watercrafts. It has the element of safety because of the jet-effect to propel the boat but again the noise level of the combustion motor to drive the pump does not qualify it for those wish the quietness that is possible when an invention is brought forth to overcome the disadvantages of noise creating motors.

Variations of the above discussed types of propelling units have also been developed. The electric motor with a propeller attached has found many advocates in boating circles but this mode is not adaptable to a mechanical source of energy should the need arise because of the discharge of the of the storage battery.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide underwater vane variable motive apparatus for propelling watercraft.

Another object of my invention is to provide a means for the variable position of the underwater vanes.

A yet another object of the present invention is to provide a means for the control of the underwater vanes.

A still another object of the present invention is. to provide means which cause thevanes to reciprocate underwater.

A further object of the present invention is to provide means for the predetermined duration of the reciprocating underwater vanes.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide the means for the vanes to be pivoted.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide the means for stabilizing the underwater vanes.

These and other objects of the invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.

The present invention may be described with more specificity and clarity with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the cross-sectional view of apparatus secured to the bottom of the hull of a watercraft;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the present invention, taken along lines 22 as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the present invention, taken along lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the present invention, taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the variable position rod and wheel, taken along lines 55 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view ofthe present invention, taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 2.

In the following discussion describing the present invention, reference will be made to FIG. 1. The present invention is supported through an Aperture 33 in the bottom of the hull 32 of a watercraft by Bearing 6 which could be a non-selfaligning type. Set screws of Bearing 6 determine the position of sleeve housing 13 in relation to bottom of the hull 32.

Assuming for the moment that power could be applied to shaft 1 thereby causing it to turn. Pulley 2 is secured to shaft 1 and Shaft l is secured and supported by Bearing 5. Bearing 5 and 6 are secured to bottom of the hull 32 by Cap Screw 7a,7b, 7c,7d. Pulley 4 is secured to sleeve housing 13. V-Belt 3 is tensioned to Pulleys 2 and 4. Sleeve housing 13 is now able to rotate in Bearing 6. Rotation of sleeve housing 13 causes Vane 35 to come in contact with cam pin 18. Assume that the boat operator has physical control of Handle 11 and maintains it in the position in FIG. 1. It becomes obvious that a remote control could also position Shaft 12.

Referring now jointly to FIG. 1 and 2, Vane 35 is at end of its power stroke and Vane 34 is about to commence its power stroke. The continued rotation of sleeve housing 13 causes Vane 35 to start its pivotable mode as selected by the operator of the boat by maintaining Handle 11 and secured to Shaft 12 by means of Cotter Pin 9. Shaft 12 is secured in its position by means of Retaining Collar 10 by Cotter pin 8. Cap Screw 21 secures the Shaft 12 to Housing 20.

Referring to FIG. 2, Vane 34 and Vane 35 are set at right angles with respect to one another and secured to Pipe 16. Vane 35 is in its vertical position. Vane 34 is in its horizontal position. Vane 34 and Vane 35 travel in a counter-clockwise direction about its Shaft 12.

Referring to FIG. 3, Cam Pin 18 is secured to Hous- 7 ing 20 at the location shown by a tight press fit into Housing 20. Cam l9 follows the contour of Housing 20 and is secured to Housing 20 by conventional means. Cam 19 extends past the as shown in this FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, Vane 35 is secured to Pipe 16 by Vane Support 17 and Vane Support 17'. Flexible Membrane 24 is secured to Rod 25 by conventional means. Flexible membrane 24 is also secured to Membrane Support 27 by conventional means. Spring 26 is located inside the Pipe 16. Cable 22 and Cable 22 are secured at opposite ends of Spring 26. Cable 22 and Cable 22 are allowed to extend through Aperture 36 and Aperture 36. Cables 22 and 22' are secured to Rod 25 at point 31 and 31. Guides 30 and 30' provide smooth action for the movement of Cables 22 and 22. Pipe 16 pivots in sleeve housing 13. Support Member 23 physically connects to Vane Support 17, to Glide 28. Pin 14 .is a press fit into'sleeve housing 13 in a position so that it is directly above and inside the trailing edge of Guide 28 when the Glide 28 is sliding upon Cam 19. To meet this condition Vane 34 would be in a horizontal position with respect to sleeve housing 13.

Referring to FIG. 5, Wheel 29 is able to move freely, in Vane Support 17. Vane Support 17 could be as illustrated, a section of metal channel. Rod 25 is fitted to Wheel 29 by a loose fit, to enable Wheel 29 to ratate about Rod 25 and be confined to its travel within the Vane Support 17. Pipe 16 extends its length to the outer edge of Vane Support 17.

Referring to FIG. 6, Pin 15 is a press fit into sleeve housing 13. Pin 15 is in the approximate position of Assumming for the moment that power has been applied to shaft 1 and shaft 1 rotating in Bearing 5. Pulley 2 will transfer the power to Pulley 4 because of the V-Belt 3. Pulley 4 turning will in turn cause sleeve housing 13 to rotate about the Shaft 12. Handle 11 secured to Shaft 12 by means of a Cotter Pin 9 will give the operator of the boat control over the Shaft 12 and the Housing 20. Retaining Collar 10 secured to Shaft 12 by means of a Cotter Pin 8 keeps Shaft 12 in its proper alignment. Cap Screw 21 is used to secure Housing 20 to Shaft 12 so that the boat operator can position Handle 11 and have the corresponding position of Housing 20 in alignment with the position of Handle 11. v

As discussed above the invention would be secured to the bottom of the hull 32 of the boat by means of Bearing 6 which would be secured to the bottom of the hull 32 by means of Cap Screw ,7a and 7b. The Bearing 6 which supports shaft 1 would be secured through the use of Cap Screws 7c and 7d. An Aperture 33 larger than the diameter of the sleeve housing 13 would be provided by craftsmen prior to the installation of the invention.

From the above description, it will be apparent that a train of power will be transmitted to the sleeve housing 13 and sleeve housing 13 will cause motivation of Vane 34 and Vane 35 in a counter-clockwise direction with respect to Shaft 12. With the position of Handle.

11 as shown in FIG. 1, the Vanes 34 and 35 will take the position shown in FIG. 2. Vane 35 has just completed its power stroke and the Glide 28 is about to strike the Cam Pin 18 that is an established and definite part of Housing 20. As previously stated there is power available at sleeve housing 13 to rotate and this rotation will also cause Vane 34 and Vane 35 to move because of the Pipe 16. Pipe 16 is able to pivot centrally in part of the housing of sleeve housing 13 and a pivoting mode will take place as Vane 35 and the Glide 28 of Vane 35 strikes the Cam Pin 18 which is an established and definite part of Housing 20. Vane 35 now takes a gradual inclination, going into the horizontal position. Vane 34 which is secured to Pipe 16 now also begins to take an inclination, going into the vertical mode, which is the beginning of the power stroke. Support Member 23 is in the line of transmission between Glide-28 and the Vane Support 17' to cause Vane 35 to go into its horizontal position. Glide 28 of Vane 35 now assumes the mode of horizontal position and Vane 34 assumes the mode of vertical position and the resulting power stroke. Glide 28 of Vane 35' as it rotates about the Housing 20 causes it to slide and be in contact with Cam 19. Pin 14 is provided to stabilize the vanes from any erratic movements during the time that the vanes change their mode of inclination by limiting their movement to a near horizontal position. Pin 14 is so placed into the sleeve housing 13 so that it prevents the upward movement of the trailing edge of Vane 35. beyond the normal horizontal position thus adding stability; FIG. 6, Pin illustrates the stabilizing effect of this pin. FIG. 6, Cam 19 makes it possible to predetermine the length of travel that the Glide 28continues to remain in a sliding mode and thereby be able to select the most efficient mode of operation for the invention.

The constructional features and operation of the Vanes and referring to FIG. 4, for discussion we will consider Vane 35. It will become evident in the description that follows that Flexible Membrane 24 that thereon for controlling is secured to Rod 25 and also Membrane Support 27 will flex in direct proportion to the rotation of and to the power that is imposed upon, them by the Vane sleeve housing 13. Previous discussion described the functions of reciprocation of the vanes. Wheel 29' provides the means that Rod 25 can travel in a confined movement in Vane Support 17. Spring 26 is so selected that it will allow upon proper tension to give way to the movement of Cable 22 and Cable 22"guided by Guides 30 and 30 and the subsequent movement of Rod 25 by reason of the termination of Cables 22 and 22 at point 31 and point 31 to Rod 25. This arrangement lends itself for FlexibleMembrane 24 to flex in the power stroke. FIG. 4 illustrates the position of Flexible Membrane 24, FIG. 2 illustrates the return position of the Flexible Membrane 24. Spring 26 will retract and expand depending whether the Vanes are in a power stroke or in a non-working mode. Vane 34 in FIG. 2 is an example of the non-working mode while Vane 35 in FIG. 4 has just completed its power stroke.

The previously presented summary of the operation will now be expanded. A boat operator having control over Handle 11 will be able to judge the need for propulsion and select by experience the timing that the Glide 28 will come into contact with the Cam Pin 18. Previous discussion has described the functions and the effects when certain conditions are present. Assuming that in FIG. 1 we are looking at the stern of the boat with the invention secured as previously described to the bottom of the hull 32, the boat would be traveling away from us. Should the operator of the boat desire to go a-stern he would rotate Handle 11 from the original position and the boat'would be traveling toward" us. It is understood that the operator also has rudder and power control over his watercraft.

Although the movement and function of only one vane has been described in referring to FIG. 4 it is to be understood that Vane 34 and Vane 35 operate in a similar fashion.

While the principles of the invention have now been made clear in an illustrative embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components, used in the practice of the invention which are particularly adapted'for specific environments and operating requirements without departing from those principles.

Having thus completed and fully described the invention, what is now claimed is as follows:

1. An underwater vane propulsion device for a boat comprising, a rotatable shaft extending through the hull of said boat, a sleeve housing journaled about said shaft, a pipe journaled into said sleeve housing about midway of said pipe and transverse to the axis of rotation of said sleeve housing, vanes fixed to the ends of said pipe and comprising, a pair of supports on both ends of said pipe and extending from said pipe at right angles with respect to each other, a membrane support member connected between the ends of each pair of said supports, a rod connected between each pair of said supports and slidable therein, a flexible membrane fixed to said rod and said membrane support, biasing means in said pipe for biasing said rod toward said pipe, said underwater vane propulsion device further comprising a drive means connected to said sleeve housing for rotating same, and a housing fixed to an end of said shaft below the waterline and having cam means the rotation of said pipe. l g 

1. An underwater vane propulsion device for a boat comprising, a rotatable shaft extending through the hull of said boat, a sleeve housing journaled about said shaft, a pipe journaled into said sleeve housing about midway of said pipe and transverse to the axis of rotation of said sleeve housing, vanes fixed to the ends of said pipe and comprising, a pair of supports on both ends of said pipe and extending from said pipe at right angles with respect to each other, a membrane support member connected between the ends of each pair of said supports, a rod connected between each pair of said supports and slidable therein, a flexible membrane fixed to said rod and said membrane support, biasing means in said pipe for biasing said rod toward said pipe, said underwater vane propulsion device further comprising a drive means connected to said sleeve housing for rotating same, and a housing fixed to an end of said shaft below the waterline and having cam means thereon for controlling the rotation of said pipe. 